Page 4 of Substitute Bride

FIRST ENCOUNTER

Jhankar was ecstatic. After months of preparation, countless applications, and several rounds of interviews, she had finally secured a job at a prestigious multinational company in Delhi.

Her heart brimmed with joy as she reread the offer letter on her phone.

What made the news even more exciting was the fact that the company was providing accommodation for new employees.

That single clause in her contract lifted the heaviest burden off her shoulders.

She had been incredibly anxious about her living arrangements.

The idea of living alone had always frightened her; she had never spent a single night away from her family.

Now, with that concern resolved, her joy knew no bounds.

A big smile spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled as she dialed her father's number. But he didn’t pick up.

She frowned slightly and stared at the phone screen, thinking maybe he was busy with work. Not one to dwell on disappointment for long, she immediately called her brother. He picked up on the first ring. Her smile widened, and with gleaming eyes, she let out a joyful scream.

“Big B… Guess what? I’ve secured a position in my dream company…

You remember, right? All three companies gave me excellent offers, but I chose this one.

You also know this position was the one I always wanted.

The pay was a little less than the top offer, but I spoke to them openly about it, and because of my performance, they agreed to increase it…

I’m so happy, and the best part? I won’t even have to worry about accommodations…

They’re giving me an apartment! And I think I’ll get along really well with my new colleagues. Yahoo! I’m seriously so, so happy.”

Her brother’s voice came over the phone, sounding calm and low, “I’m very happy for you, Jhankar… It’s such a relief to know you won’t face any problems. Just… take care of everything, okay?”

His tone didn’t match her enthusiasm. As soon as she heard his voice, Jhankar paused.

Something about it struck her as odd. Her brother was usually lively and mischievous, always teasing or laughing.

But today, he sounded distant, almost burdened.

Her cheerful expression faded into a look of concern.

“What happened? Why are you speaking like this? And hey, didn’t you get your new bike today? If you're free, come pick me up… I really want to ride your new bike…”

“Jhankar…”

He said softly. The way he uttered her name made her heart flutter.

She kept talking excitedly, trying to lift his mood, but he interrupted again, this time just calling her name.

Her excitement dulled completely. He had never addressed her like that.

He always called her by ridiculous nicknames or teased her in strange ways that annoyed her, but this?

The serious tone and formal use of her name filled her with chills.

Jhankar pressed the phone closer to her ear, waiting, hoping he’d say something else.

But nothing came from the other end, only a deep, heavy sigh followed by an abrupt beep.

“Bhai…” (brother)

She called, staring at the phone in disbelief.

The call had disconnected. She quickly attempted to reach him again, only to discover that his phone was now off.

Her heart started thumping. Her earlier joy dissipated abruptly, and a wave of anxiety gradually swept in.

She tried again and again, but no response.

Her fingers trembled as she immediately dialed her father's number again. He still wasn’t picking up.

Now her heart was racing. Her eyes darted around the bus stop, unable to focus.

Cars and motorcycles zoomed past in every direction.

She had been waiting for the bus to get home, eager to share her good news in person.

But now, that eagerness has twisted into worry.

Something wasn’t right. Her hands fumbled as she dialed her mother’s number.

This time, she prayed someone would answer.

But even her mother didn’t pick up. Her lips trembled as her eyes welled up, but she bit the inside of her cheek and forced a smile.

“They’re doing this on purpose,” she muttered aloud, trying to convince herself. “It’s all a prank. They just want to tease me. If something were really wrong, someone would have called.”

She nodded to herself, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Only Bro is mischievous enough to pull something like this. He must be planning something with Papa and Mummy. What else would they do except find new ways to trouble me?”

Her tone shifted into playful irritation as she added with a smirk.

“Okay, fine, so you guys want to play with me, huh? If I don't spoil your little surprise tonight, then my name won't be Jhankar."

She was pouting but is now smiling again.

She moved toward the window seat and sat down, letting the evening breeze gently touch her face.

The cold wind kissed her cheeks as the orange city lights flickered outside the glass.

Though night was falling, her heart lifted again with soft joy.

She knew her days at home were numbered; she was leaving in just two days.

Many students had attended the interview today, and after long hours, they lingered, chatting and sharing stories.

It was a memorable day. But now that it was ending, Jhankar was filled with bittersweet emotions.

Despite her happiness about the job, her mind drifted to the sacrifices she had made along the way.

Shortly after completing her graduation, her grandmother fell severely ill.

Her treatment was expensive, and their savings were quickly depleted.

To continue her post-graduation, Jhankar took out a bank loan, knowing that her dream of supporting her family came with a price.

But she never backed down. For the past two to three years, she had worked tirelessly, motivated by the love for her family.

Now, her dreams were finally beginning to take shape.

As the bus moved through the city, Jhankar watched the lights blur past. Hyderabad was a fast-paced, bustling city, but she loved it with all her heart.

People smiled at each other, creating an invisible thread of warmth and familiarity.

Originally from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, her family had moved here two decades ago due to her father's job.

Slowly and patiently, they had built their life here, saving every penny, constructing a home, and creating a life filled with shared laughter, struggles, and love.

As memories of those years danced through her mind, a few tears escaped her eyes.

She wiped them quickly, reminding herself of the purpose behind her choices.

She had always aspired to provide her parents with a comfortable life, and now she had taken a significant step toward realizing her dream.

This was a significant step towards realizing her dream.

The bus came to a halt. Her stop had arrived.

She got down, clutching her bag tightly, and smiled.

As she walked toward her colony, something felt off.

People on the street were staring at her, not just glancing, but turning fully to watch her pass.

The weight of their silent gazes made her shoulders stiffen.

She frowned, trying to keep her smile intact. She whispered.

“What’s going on…?”

But then she shook her head and smiled again, muttering.

"Bro must have told everyone. He can’t keep anything to himself… He probably blurted out the good news already.”

As she walked further into the colony, she noticed a large number of vehicles parked near her home.

Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed together in mild annoyance.

Still muttering to herself, her pace quickened.

But deep in her heart, beneath the layer of mischief, a strange uneasiness quietly stirred.

“This Sharma Aunty and her family, whenever there’s any function at their house, they always park their relatives' vehicles right in front of our gate. And we face so much trouble getting out, but no, all their cars must be crammed in front of our entrance… And if you say anything to them, they act all offended. If I don’t park Brother’s brand-new bike right in front of her house this time, then my name isn't Jhankar.”

Muttering with annoyance, she marches forward, opens the iron gate of her house with a loud voice, and steps inside, still speaking loudly enough for her mother to hear.

“This time, no matter how much you try to stop me, if I don’t forcefully park your beloved son's new bike in front of Sharma Aunty’s house, then just wait and see what a scene I’ll create!”

But as she enters, all the irritation on her face turns into sheer horror. The scene inside is blood-curdling. Raghunath lies on the floor, blood oozing from his lips and the side of his head. His body is trembling, trying to get up but failing. She lets out a piercing scream.

“Papa…”

Jhankar sprints to him in terror. As her father tries to lift his body upon hearing her voice, a man lands a brutal punch on his face, knocking him down again. She shrieks louder, her steps rushing toward her fallen father.

“PAPA…”

Panic, shock, and pain wash over her all at once.

She grabs hold of Raghunath and cradles him, her arms trembling under the weight of fear.

Blood seeps through her fingers as she tries to support his wounded body.

She looks up frantically—and sees her mother, Chitrali, lying nearby.

Her head is bleeding, and tears glisten in her eyes as she watches helplessly.

“Mom…?”

Before Jhankar can reach her, a hand suddenly grabs her by the hair and yanks her back.

She screams in pain, only to be turned around and slapped with such force that she crashes onto the floor.

Stunned, her gaze drops to the man’s polished shoes, one foot resting on the other knee, sitting with a detached calmness.

Her eyes slowly rise and then lock with a pair of furious, bloodshot eyes, watching her like a storm on the verge of explosion.

“Why… Why is all this happening?”

She gasps, her voice trembling. But before she can get an answer, the man who had slapped her yanks her hair again, pulling her up to face him.

“No matter how much you people try to hide, I will find your brother, the one who ran off with my daughter!”

He snarls. The ground slips from beneath Jhankar’s feet.

Her mind reels at his words. She doesn’t dare meet his eyes but instead looks around.

The entire house is in a state of chaos, with broken furniture, shattered glass, and their world in complete disarray.

She then looks directly at the groom-like man seated in silence.

Her eyes narrow. Before she can fully process what’s happening, the man holding her hair slaps her again and screams.

“Tell me, where has your brother taken my daughter Sonakshi?”

Her eyes finally focus on the man's face, and recognition hits her like lightning.

Viren Chandel—her brother’s boss.

In the corner, Chitrali keeps looking at Raghunath, who is coughing up blood.

Jhankar’s heart pounds in her chest as she sees her mother trying to crawl towards him, her movements weak and broken.

Seeing the man raise his hand again, Jhankar grabs it mid-air, twists it back with all her strength, and screams.

“You bastard… Who the hell do you think you are to treat my parents like this?”

The groom sitting silently on the chair turns sharply at the sound of her voice.

His eyes narrow as he watches her. There’s a flicker of interest in his otherwise cold, unreadable face.

As Jhankar throws punch after punch at the man who dared to touch her, he clenches his jaw and stands up with deliberate intensity.

In just a few strides, he reaches her, grabs both her hands, and forcibly turns her to face him.

His voice is deep and laced with menace.

“Where the hell is your bastard brother?”